Tuesday, 30 December 2008

Lung cancer tumours could grow faster because of an ingredient in processed food, a study has claimed.

"Inorganic phosphates are used in a wide range of meat, seafood, cheese and bakery products to preserve flavour and texture.

Common consumption levels of the chemicals may fuel lung tumour development in susceptible individuals, say the researchers.

Scientists working with mice discovered that high doses of inorganic phosphates stimulate a cancer-promoting biological pathway in the lungs.

At the same time the activity of anti-cancer genes is reduced.

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in the world and affects 38,500 people each year in the UK. The disease kills 34,000 people in the UK each year, more than a fifth of all those who die from cancer."